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Lesson 5 Title:   "MACBETH" Overview: "Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's great tragedies. It is a classic piece of literature that can be studied and understood even by elementary age students. Purpose: It is vital that students realize that the skills they have learned and practiced in the classroom can be applied to reading outside of their textbooks and worksheets. Students should view reading as a life long skill. Objectives: Students will be able to: 1. read and understand "Macbeth". 2. apply verifying strategies to what they have read. 3. apply prediction strategies to what they have read. 4. make comparisons between characters as they (&   	 undergo changes in "Macbeth".	5.  apply the themes of "Macbeth" to their lives   	 today.

Resources/Materials needed: copies of "Macbeth" for each student.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES: 1.  Students will discuss the changes that each main character has undergone in the play. (Ex. Lady Macbeth develops a conscience and     Macbeth loses his conscience.) 2.  Students examine the motives that led to the changes in each main character. This examination will lead to the discovery of the themes of the play; greed disguised as ambition and truth disguised as rationalization. (There are other    themes to discover.) 3.  After examining historical events and current world affairs, students are able to write an essay comparing the event to the themes of "Macbeth". Some events have included the Civil Rights movement, the destruction of rain forests, the L.A. riots, and the plight of the inner cities. The age level and experience of the students will lead to more comparisons.

Tying it all together: Students share their final essays with the class after revising their writing for mechanics and content. Students experience great pride in their work and a better understanding of the timeless work of William Shakespeare.